Russell Brand's gag about the state of Amy Winehouse's liver has been ranked the greatest on-stage quip at the Brit Awards.

Russell, who hosted the show in 2007, famously joked about the boozy singer: "Amy Winehouse - her surname's beginning to sound like a description of her liver."

MySpace users were asked to choose from a shortlist of the most amusing and cringeworthy comments since the event began in 1977.

Russell's gag came ahead of Robbie Williams challenging Liam Gallagher to a punch-up. As he stepped on stage to collect an award in 2000, he said: "Liam, a hundred grand of your money and a hundred grand of my money? We'll get in a ring and we'll have a fight and you can all watch it on TV."

Will Francis, editor of MySpace UK, said: "The Brits are a national institution and millions of us tune in every year, not just to see who wins and who loses but to see who trips up on stage and who gives the wittiest speeches - the best of which linger in the memory long after the ceremony is over."

Justin Timberlake was fourth in the poll with his 2004 quip: "This is only my first record so you guys stick with me, we've got depression and drug addiction to go through."